Regional police merger plan canned in Northern Genesee County -- at least for now

VIENNA TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- Handcuffed by Vienna Township's lack of interest in a regional consolidation of police services, any future plans for such an arrangement in northern Genesee County are officially canned -- at least for now.

"There cannot be a merger; there cannot be an authority," said City Administrator Jack Abernathy at Wednesday's Northern Tier committee meeting at Vienna Township Hall. "It's a dead issue."

Abernathy referenced state policing regulations that require municipalities involved in collective policing to be geographically contiguous.

Since the city of Clio is enveloped by Vienna Township, such an arrangement would not be legally feasible.

Mark Emmendorfer, Montrose Township supervisor, didn't rule out the possibility of a merger in the future, however.

"It's a dead issue now, at least until next year when Vienna Township gets to the end of their (contract)," Emmendorfer said. "Maybe then they will look at it again."

Emmendorfer represents one of five municipalities -- Clio, Vienna Township, Thetford Township, Montrose and Montrose Township -- that had entertained the possibility of looking into a merger.

Vienna Township is currently under contract with the Genesee County Sheriff's Department for police services at a cost of more than $900,000 per year.

The city of Clio, along with Thetford Township, both approved by resolution the raising of a police authority study committee to look into the feasibility of a future consolidation. Late last year, Vienna's Board of Trustees unanimously nixed the same resolution.

The board has consistently expressed its contentment with the level of police service provided by the county.